Research Fellow Stephen P. Halbrook, author of Gun Control in the Third Reich, presents oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit in the ongoing appeal of the landmark Supreme Court case of Heller v. District of Columbia. The case affirmed the Second Amendment rights of citizens for lawful purposes such as self-defense.

Independent Institute Senior Vice President Mary L. G. Theroux testified on "Childhood Poverty, Government Failures, and the Need for Economic Liberty", before the California State Senate's Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, at the request of State Senator Jeff Stone. The witnesses spoke about California's Maximum Family Grant rule for families on welfare. The rule caps grants and does not increase grant money to mothers on welfare when they have more children. Mary testified about the causes of poverty and of the need for other, non-government options for poor families. She introduced ideas for helping the poor through private resources and organizations, instead of government agencies where families and women often find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Independent Institute Senior Vice President Mary L. G. Theroux testified on "Childhood Poverty, Government Failures, and the Need for Economic Liberty", before the California State Senate's Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, at the request of State Senator Jeff Stone. The witnesses spoke about California's Maximum Family Grant rule for families on welfare. The rule caps grants and does not increase grant money to mothers on welfare when they have more children. Mary testified about the causes of poverty and of the need for other, non-government options for poor families. She introduced ideas for helping the poor through private resources and organizations, instead of government agencies where families and women often find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Sr. Fellow Ivan Eland, author of the newly updated book "Recarving Rushmore," appears on the nationally syndicated Lars Larson radio show to discuss how he ranks the U.S. Presidents in terms of peace, prosperity and liberty. The updated version of the book includes President Barack Obama.

Research Fellow Vern McKinley, author of Financing Failure is interviewed by The Full Disclosure Network about the role of the Federal Reserve and whether or not it protects American citizens from financial disaster.